Boone County to decide senior property tax while cities see use, marijuana sales taxes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Another April, another election full of use taxes and sales taxes.

But this year's ballot in Boone County includes something different. County commissioners put a measure on the April 2 ballot that would exempt seniors from some property tax increases. This is after commissioners were initially hesitant, saying they wanted more clarity on the law.

For another year voters around Mid-Missouri will see tax questions on their ballots this April. Some are use taxes on goods purchased online, others fund capital improvements and at least one would impose a local sales tax on marijuana.

Here's a roundup of tax issues on the April ballot around Mid-Missouri:

Boone County

In addition to the countywide property tax vote, two towns in Boone County will ask voters to approve use taxes equal to their sales tax rates.

Use taxes are similar to sales taxes but are levied on items when the purchase doesn't include local sales tax, such as some online purchases.

Centralia is asking its voters for a 2.5-cent use tax and Hallsville's tax would also be equal to the sales tax.

Callaway County

The City of Auxvasse is one of the late comers to seeking a marijuana sales tax but it will be on the ballot.

The city will ask voters to implement a 3% tax on pot sales after county voters approved a 3% countywide sales tax last year. Those rates will be stacked and are on top of the state sales tax rate.

Whether county and city taxes can stack is being challenged in the courts.

The City of Fulton is asking voters to continue its half-cent sales tax for capital improvements.

New Bloomfield is also asking voters for a half-cent sales tax for capital improvements and a half-cent tax for public safety. New Bloomfield voters will also be asked whether to levy a use tax equal to the city's sales tax.

Cooper County

The Tipton Rural Fire Protection District wants voters to increase its property tax rate by 25 cents per $100 of assessed value. That would increase taxes for the owner of a $200,000 home by about $95 per year.

The Pilot Grove Area Fire Protection District has placed a $900,000 bond issue on the April ballot to pay for replacing vehicles and equipment. Meanwhile, the City of Pilot Grove wants to impose a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana.

Boonville also wants a 3% sales tax on marijuana. Any local sales taxes on recreational weed would be added on top of the 3% countywide sales tax authorized by voters last April.

The county government wants to continue a half-cent sales tax that is used for roads and bridges.

Howard County

The county government is seeking a sales tax increase of a quarter-cent for emergency dispatching operations.

The City of New Franklin wants voters to approve a use tax equal to the city's sales tax.

Moniteau County

The Tipton Rural Fire Protection District wants voters to increase its property tax rate by 25 cents per $100 of assessed value. That would increase taxes for the owner of a $200,000 home by about $95 per year.

The City of Tipton wants a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana.

Morgan County

The City of Laurie wants a half-cent sales tax to pay for Laurie City Park. Stover also wants a half-cent sales tax to pay for parks with a five-year sunset clause.

The City of Versailles wants to replace a quarter-cent sales tax with a half-cent tax for fire protection.